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How to test API? | Thunder Client for VS Code


In today’s fast-paced development environment, testing APIs is an integral part of ensuring the functionality and reliability of web applications. With the increasing complexity of modern web services, developers need efficient tools to streamline the testing process and identify potential issues early on. This is where Thunder Client steps in, offering a powerful API testing tool right within the familiar environment of Visual Studio Code (VS Code).

What is Thunder Client?

Thunder Client is a lightweight, yet feature-rich extension for VS Code that simplifies API testing. Developed by Ranga Vadhineni, it provides developers with an intuitive interface to create, manage, and execute HTTP requests effortlessly. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting with API testing, Thunder Client offers a user-friendly experience that caters to all skill levels.


How to Get Started:

Getting started with Thunder Client is straightforward:

  1. Install Thunder Client: You can install Thunder Client directly from the VS Code Marketplace. Simply search for “Thunder Client” in the Extensions view and click Install.
  2. Create Requests: Once installed, you can start creating HTTP requests by clicking on the Thunder Client icon in the Activity Bar or using the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) and typing “Thunder: New Request”.
  3. Configure Requests: Customize your requests by specifying the method, URL, headers, parameters, and body as needed.
  4. Execute Requests: Click the Send button to execute your request and view the response directly within VS Code.
  5. Validate Responses: Utilize assertion rules to validate response data and ensure that your API is functioning correctly.
  6. Organize and Share: Organize your requests into collections for better management and share them with your team for collaboration.

Offical site: https://www.thunderclient.com